The 24-year-old Lenox resident became an AmeriCorps volunteer, in part, because community service is in his genes.

"Everyone in my immediate family did national service: my sister did AmeriCorps, my mother VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and my dad for a physicians group," he said. "There's a certain ethic to it."

Kaplan, and VISTA's Nanci Pollard of Northfield, were among the local volunteers honored by Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi on Tuesday, the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, which debuted nationwide last year.

Advertisement

Kaplan and Pollard are currently assigned to Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity headquartered on Columbus Avenue. Kaplan helps organize Habitat volunteers who build affordable single-family houses for qualified Pittsfield-area families. Pollard works with Habitat families, teaching them how to budget their finances in order to run their own homes.

On Tuesday, Bianchi joined Kaplan and other Habitat volunteers to paint an office at Habitat for Humanity and praise the work of all who help improve the city.

"All our volunteer corps are incredibly important to Pittsfield and all communities, especially those struggling with budgets," he said as he applied a coat of olive green to a wall. "These organizations are a wonderful introduction for young people to public service."

Lou Coelho, president of the local habitat's board of directors, says Kaplan's involvement with the organization prior to enlisting in AmericCorps, makes his service invaluable.

"Having someone like Luke helps as he organizes our volunteers," Coelho said. "He's part of the glue of the organization that encourages volunteers to keep coming back."

Since 1993, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity has built 26 homes on property donated by private individuals and businesses, or sold by the city to the nonprofit group for $1. A 27th project is underway on Goodman Lane. Habiat officials note the majority of their homes are occupied by the original owners, who purchased the residences using low- or zero-interest loans. For information, visit http://www.berkshirehabitat.org/

Mayor Daniel Bianchi joins AmeriCorps VISTA and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in painting a room at the Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity office in Pittsfield as he participates in the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. Tuesday, April 1, 2014. Stephanie Zollshan / Berkshire Eagle Staff / photos.berkshireeagle.com (Stephanie Zollshan)

Welcome to your discussion forum: Click the login link below to sign in with or to set up a Disqus account or to access your social networking account. When you do, your comment should be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (What are the guidelines?.) Report abuse by flagging a comment (mouse over the comment). Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Berkshire Eagle. So keep it civil.